Russia-Ukraine war: Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is dead, says US Under Secy Nuland

contentious Russian rd Stream 2 pipeline, which was suspended due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is "dead," United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland said. She furr believes it is unlikely to be ever restored. At a session of US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, se remarks were in response to one senator’s question, who asked Nuland if she feels that penalties placed by US administration on rd Stream 2 should be permanent, Tass reported.  

Following question, Nuland said, “I think rd Stream 2 is w dead. It is a hunk of metal at bottom of sea, I don't think it will ever be revived," as per TRT.  

Biden chose to impose a restriction on Russian oil imports amid Russia-Ukraine war

Furr, comments were made on same day when US President Joe Biden struck Moscow by saying that US will shut off Russian energy imports. President Biden chose to impose a restriction on Russian oil imports, putting more strain on Russian ecomy. It is worth ting that United States used to buy Russian oil, but it was t entirely reliant on it because Mexico, Canada, and Saudi Arabia all supplied it.  

United States' decision to ban Russian oil imports emanates hours after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, " decision has been made at this point by president about a ban on importing oil from Russia, and those discussions are ongoing internally and also with our counterparts and partners in Europe and around world," as per media reports.   

After Russia recognised Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz anunced on February 22 that German government had halted certification process for Russian rd Stream 2 gas pipeline project. Furr, US President Joe Biden has authorised government to apply penalties against rd Stream 2 AG and its manment next day. 

rd Stream 2's construction was finished on September 10, 2021. It was originally scheduled to be finished by end of 2019; however, work was delayed because of US sanctions. gas pipeline is made up of two strings that stretch from Russia's coast through Baltic Sea to Germany, with an overall capacity of 55 billion cubic metres per year.  

Meanwhile, in retaliation to Western sanctions, Russia threatened to close rd Stream 1 pipeline, which transports gas from Russia to Germany. declaration was made on Monday night by country's deputy prime minister, Alexander vak, in response to "calls to dump Russian oil and gas" from European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 
 

(Im: AP)